Bhogal AS, et al. - In patients with cirrhosis, researchers conducted this investigation to determine which of the heart rate variability (HRV) indices best predicts mortality and verified if this ability is independent of the severity of hepatic failure. For this investigation, 10 minutes electrocardiogram was recorded in 74 subjects with cirrhosis. They observed that 24 patients (32%) died or were transplanted for hepatic decompensation during the follow-up period. Independent of age, gender, use of beta blockers, and the etiology of liver disease, the prognostic value of HRV indices was supported. They identified only SD2 and cSDNN as being able to forecast mortality in patients with cirrhosis, independently of MELD. For survival prediction, these indices are potentially beneficial tools.